Community

- Green Offaly is the only organisation of its kind in Ireland

By Joe Saunders “You have to see it, to be it” is a strong motto for those seeking social change. Whether it’s sport, business or politics, all walks of life need diversity at leadership level if they are to be truly inclusive.

‘Changing Ireland’ welcomed Minister of State for Community Development, Joe O’Brien, to Moyross this week as our publication celebrates 21 years publishing news from communities around the country. Over the years, the magazine has featured community initiatives, volunteers and activists from every county - from Erris Head to Wexford town, from Dublin to Derry and Kerry - and the minister commended the magazine for its coverage and its “track record” and for being “at times critical”.

AS HUMAN rights in many parts of the world continue to be threatened, the Dublin Arts and Human Rights Festival is set to celebrate those who defend the rights of all global citizens. 

Davidia involucrate, also known as the dove-tree. This is the name of a tree planted by Ukrainian refugees in the garden of the Earl of Desmond Hotel, in Ballyseedy, near Tralee, Co. Kerry. "By planting this tree we would like to wish peace for our Homeland, and to express our deep gratitude to Irish people for their kindness and hospitality. They made huge difference in our lives,” said Tetiana Tymchak, a Ukrainian volunteer who led the initiative. “Hotel staff work very hard every day for us. We feel welcomed and cared for. That moves us to tears,” she said.

The Irish don’t forget their history. That’s the impression I got when I came to Ireland and found out more about her. It is very important to remember your history. It will help to prevent future tragedies that happened in the past. I found out there were extremely sad pages in Irish history such as famines. So I decided to tell you the story of Ukrainian mother and daughter Halyna (90) and Svitlana (66). I think many readers here in Ireland can relate to what they’ve told me. Halyna and Svitlana remember well the times of great upheavals in their Homeland.

‘I love children and I love people so much’, says Hanna Buhaiova, a Ukrainian teacher and businesswoman. Hanna was changing her city - running her family club for kids and adults. Languages, arts, crafts, games – young and mature club participants were busy and happy. So were Hanna and her staff. But the Russian invasion destroyed everything. Hanna had to stop the work she enjoyed so much and flee her homeland. Our guest tells what helped her to survive and what are her hopes for the future.

The welcome towards Ukrainian refugees is not as universal as it was in February, as shown by hostile comments from Irish people regarding refugees who were living in tents in a recycling centre.